Tomb of St. Philip the Apostle Discovered in Turkey

28. July 2011 - 9:03

A tomb believed to be that of St. Philip the Apostle was unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Hierapolis, in the Turkish southwestern province of Denizli.

Italian professor Francesco D'Andria said archeologists found the tomb of the biblical figure -- one of the 12 original disciples of Jesus -- while working on the ruins of a newly-unearthed church, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported Wednesday.

"We have been looking for Saint Philip's tomb for years," Italian Francesco d'Andria told the agency. "We finally found it in the ruins of a church which we excavated a month ago."

The structure of the tomb and the writings on the wall proved it belonged to St. Philip, he added.

The church is located at Pamukkale, known as Hierapolis in ancient times, where Philip was said to have been martyred after preaching across Asia Minor.

D'Andria said the tomb had not been opened.

"One day it will be, no doubt," he said, describing the discovery as "a major development both for archeology and the Christian world".

St. Philip, recognized as one of Christianity's martyrs, is thought to have died in Hierapolis, in the southwest province of Denizli, in around 80AD. It is believed he was crucified upside down or beheaded.

Hierapolis, whose name means "sacred city," is an ancient city famous for its hot springs and a spa since the 2nd century.